WA history

Izzy Orloff and colleague working in the Censors Office
An in-depth look at his photography
Photographs and films
WA history
Izzy was one of WA’s most significant photographers, an Avant-Garde innovator in photographic style who captured moments of urban life. Born in Ukraine in 1891, he migrated to Fremantle in 1910.
6 women
Stop Violence Against Women
Podcasts
WA history
A courageous collection of audio stories presented in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence, recorded by the Centre for Stories in 2019 for 16 Days in WA – Stop Violence Against Women campaign.
Winifred Wells before her journey across Australia 19 December 1950
"As game as Ned Kelly"
Photographs and films
WA history
Vivacious 22-year-old Winifred Wells "had two characteristics uncommon amongst her sex". She liked to be alone and she loved to ride motorcycles.
003203D Rabbit Proof Fence 1920
WA history
The Rabbit-Proof Fence has in recent years become synonymous with the ‘Stolen Generation’ through the 2002 film which explored the subject of Aboriginal children being forcibly removed from their parents by racist colonial government policy.
Gallipoli 1915- scale 120000 Boghali cartographic material  reproduced at the Survey Dept Egypt
Gallipoli 1915 & Ypres 1917
ANZAC stories
Maps and charts
WA history
In 1915 and 1917, our historical maps of Gallipoli and Ypres were working documents. Paying attention to them could be the difference between a soldier writing home or someone else writing to their family.
Collage of WA Reflections production stills
Photographs and films
WA history
The State Library partnered with Screenwest to deliver the WA Reflections initiative. WA filmmakers created five short documentaries and a VR experience to transform and showcase stories from the Library's collections.
216118PD Robin Miller the Sugarbird Lady with her Mooney Super 21 aircraft VH-REM ca 1968-1972aft VH-REM ca 1968-1972
Photographs and films
WA history
Robin Miller fought against gender expectations and sterotypes to deliver vaccines to the Kimberley and the Pilbara.
Suite at Red Castle Motel
Red Castle Motel
Photographs and films
WA history
Do you remember the Red Castle Motel at 200 Great Eastern Highway in Rivervale?
Paper lady Katie 1923
WA history
For many years Kate trudged Fremantle’s streets selling newspapers and was described as one of the "best-known identities of Fremantle".
WW1 illustration of soldier on cigarette card
Letters, stories, maps and cigarette cards
ANZAC stories
Maps and charts
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Peter Edwards, Heritage Team Librarian, discusses original ANZAC materials from the State Library archives.
Black and white photo Perth foreshore and Mounts Bay circa 1870
Aboriginal stories
Maps and charts
WA history
We stand on ancient ground. The Perth CBD area was originally home to a chain of seasonal wetlands and lakes.
Black and white photo of performers in makeup backstage
Posters from Connections Nightclub
WA history
Many think that 'treasures' have to be old - we do not believe this. Many of our treasures are simple items that reflect what was happening at the time.